Do you believe a "dream job" is necessary for a meaningful life? Rethink that notion. Discovering your true self may hold more significance.

Many define themselves through their careers. However, the pandemic shifted our perspectives on work, including how and where we engage with it, as well as how much time we’re willing to dedicate to a job. A significant number still depend on their employment for healthcare, retirement benefits, and a sense of self-worth. Nevertheless, Simone Stolzoff argues that a "dream job" isn't essential for finding purpose.

Countless individuals followed this trajectory until COVID-19 emerged. The pandemic illuminated the risks of tying one’s identity to a potentially unstable job. Did we prefer spending more time at work or pursuing our passions, even without hefty financial rewards?

“People experienced a glimpse of a less work-driven lifestyle,” Stolzoff notes. “Now, we’re witnessing a backlash against the ‘hustle culture’ that was so dominant a few years ago.”

Workism: A Unique American Phenomenon

Consider how work is approached in other countries: shorter workweeks, extended vacations, universal healthcare, and earlier retirements. Stolzoff identifies “workism” as particularly American. In the seventies, Americans and Germans worked similar hours; today, Americans clock in roughly 30% more hours annually than their German counterparts.

“Our nation’s foundation intertwines the Protestant work ethic with capitalism,” Stolzoff explains. “In recent decades, several trends have intensified work-centric values.”

Over time, other sources of identity and meaning, such as organized religion or community events, have diminished. Yet, the human need for connection and purpose persists, leading many to seek these elements in the workplace, where they spend most of their time.

“If your job becomes your primary identity and you lose it, often through no fault of your own, you’re left questioning, ‘What’s next?’”

The Concept of the “Good Enough” Job

Stolzoff emphasizes that the idea of a “good enough job” shouldn’t be mistaken for a call to settle. A satisfactory job might simply be one that covers our bills while allowing us to lead the lifestyle we desire.

“There’s nothing wrong with seeking a job that resonates with your interests or provides meaning,” he states. “What qualifies as a good enough job is up to you. If you dream of living in New York or San Francisco, you’ll need a salary that accommodates that. Alternatively, a good enough job could be defined by a specific industry or position. For someone else, it might mean leaving work at 4 p.m.”

No matter how you define it, recognizing when you’ve found your version of good enough is crucial.

“In the U.S., there’s often a mindset driven by the desire for more,” Stolzoff remarks. “David Foster Wallace once said there’s no escaping worship; whatever you devote yourself to will consume you. If you worship money, you’ll feel perpetually unsatisfied. If you idolize beauty, you’ll think you’re never beautiful enough. The same applies to the relentless chase for dream jobs. Expecting perfection can lead to disappointment.”

LISTEN: Simone Stolzoff shares how to prioritize personal well-being outside of work. Explore his insights on the podcast.

Embracing the Shift to a Balanced Identity

Stolzoff identifies as a “recovering workist,” a term coined by his colleague Derek Thompson. He describes a workist as someone who views work similarly to a person of faith, seeking purpose and self-fulfillment through their job. “In my book, I contend that this expectation places an undue burden on our jobs,” he explains.

Many have relied on work as their main source of community. However, in recent years, the relationship with work has evolved, Stolzoff notes.

A life centered on work “can overshadow other facets of our identity,” he warns. “If we devote all our time and energy to our careers, we might neglect other important roles we hold.”

Work is a part of who we are, but it doesn’t define us entirely.

“We’re also friends, family members, and citizens,” he adds. “If we don’t nurture those identities with our time and energy, they may wither away.”